Strategist, entrepreneur and commentator Craig Coogan examines issues with his unique perspective. NOTE: The views expressed in this blog are of the author (Craig Coogan) alone. They do not represent any organization, client, or business that he may be associated with. You are welcome to comment below. Thank you for reading!

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Useless Resolutions

It’s that time of year again: New Year’s resolutions. If I
still made them, the list would look awfully close to the list from any number
of years before: lose weight, have a
more balanced work/personal life, etc. It’s unlikely that I’ll achieve those
goals ... so like 60% of Americans, I don’t even bother. A study showed that 88% of people fail at their resolutions. I do love the practice
that I heard about once – a couple writes down their resolutions, seals them in
an envelope and on New Year’s Eve they each open the other’s to see how they
did. Sounds like a fun way to do it. There’s nothing inherently wrong about
making resolutions unless you’re a politician and it comes from Washington D.C..

President Obama resolved in his 2014 New Year’s message that
it would be a “year of action.” Legislatively that was not the case, with the 2012-2014 Congress one of the "least productive" in history. In
terms of his Executive Orders, however, he was true to his word. The problem with a lot of these orders is that they are largely symbolic.
There’s no ability to effect the impact that is intended without a partnership
and consensus with Congress, the body that writes and funds the budget.

The Obama Administration declared that Home Healthcare
workers should receive “Minimum Wage”and overtime benefits. The Department of
Labor issued the rules. There was much confusion on how this would work given that
so many home healthcare situations do not lend themselves to the structure of traditional
employment. A few days before Christmas a
judge threw out the rules. Nice symbolism, but no impact.

Two other Executive Orders in 2014 relate to wages for federal contractors. They are not being challenged in the
courts, but the next President can withdraw the order easily. I’ve previously
written about my disdain for the government setting wages in the first place
--- but if they’re going to do it, shouldn’t it be set by Congress so that wages
aren’t at the whim of the person in the Oval Office?

The President’s Immigration Executive Order has been kerosene on a fire in the blogosphere
and for the pundits. The action comes after years of failing to get a bipartisan
bill approved by the Senate through the House. One of the more significant
issues that the order addresses is the legal status of certain immigrants. Millions
will be awarded “temporary” status and no longer be considered in violation of
U.S. law. What happens under the next President? Should somebody’s right to
live and work in a country be solely at the discretion of one person? That’s
not how the U.S. system is supposed to work.

Cuban-American relations are about to thaw after 55 years
thanks to the President’s decision to normalize relations. Congress does not need to approve foreign policy. The embargo, however, does
require Congressional action, as does approving an Ambassador and funding a new
embassy. Seems the White House recognizes this. Last week they hired a lobbyist. Yes, the Executive Branch has now engaged a person to lobby Congress on its behalf.

My 2014 goal (not resolution!) was to lose 100 pounds. I
lost 40 and have kept 35 off. Progress can be slow. How many of these
unilateral actions will go the way of so many goals and resolutions being made
this week? Perhaps it’s time to resolve to have the three branches of
government work together despite their political differences to solve the
important policy issues that face the country.